So I went shopping at TJ Maxx Saturday looking for some simple business casual pieces that would work well in the hot summer heat and with my existing wardrobe. I was mostly looking for light layering pieces like short sleeved breezy cardigans and super light light sweaters that would work well over tank tops.

Let’s start with the items I passed on:(and then we’ll get to the good stuff)

Tribal print tank – peplum? It was a little too weird

Modern digital print tank

The pattern reminded me of something computer or tv based … but wasn’t quite right for an outfit for me

Peasant top – just didn’t cut it

Jeep tennis shoes slip on

Jeep tennis shoes on – the heel slipped off too much otherwise I really liked them

NOW on to the good stuff:(I went in thinking I might find one good piece but instead found a bit more!)

Cynthia Rowley silk tank top and linen blend cardi. This is a second cardigan and lighter than the first. Again just too versatile to pass up.

Cynthia Rowley silk patterned tank top was $29.99.

Cynthia Rowley linen blend neutral cardigan – spent $19.99 on this.

Cynthia Rowley cardigan comparison photo. Just enough difference in color to change an outfit which is why I bought both.

I ALMOST passed on the silk tank top because of the price. It’s been awhile since I spent $30 on a single shirt. But it’s a good business meeting piece and comfortable so it came home with me. Really cute button top in the back that I didn’t take a better photo of too.

As for buying TWO short sleeve linen blend cardigans – I already own some long sleeve linen blend cardigans [seen here and here] and LOVE them which is part of the reason I just bought both short sleeve linen blend cardigans. I also have the same long sleeve jacket in black as well as the neutral shade.

I probably could wear the long sleeve cardigans in the summer they are so light but they look warmer than they are. They are also warm enough though to cut the chill on a cool evening.

A surprising amount of what I bought was Cynthia Rowley. I did not plan it this way as I tend to shop by look and feel of the fabric quality when shopping in a store like TJ Maxx (I also do this when thrift shopping.) I’m clearly attracted to rayon, linen and silk though….

Anyway – WAY more items than I expected to find shopping on Saturday but they were all such good wardrobe building basic that I didn’t want to pass any up!

One of the things that plagues linen as a fabric is pilling. The worst is the pilling on linen pants in the, sorry for my bluntness, crotch area and down as far as anywhere your legs rub together. This is easily remedied with electric shaver designed specifically for de-pilling clothing, sometimes called an electric lint shaver or pill shaver. What I use is an older model of the Remington Fuzz Away. I can’t find this exact one but found several that looked similar but a little more ergonomic.

Remington Fuzz Away

This isn’t perfect for all situations but a depilling device like the pill shaver will help you get more wear out of certain garments while keeping them looking newer instead of ratty and pilled. Take extra care with thin fabric and holding any fabric taught should give you better results.

NOTE: if your garment is really expensive, please seek professional help with repair instead of using this device. It does have the potential to snag or pull if you aren’t careful as well as with certain weaves. IF you would be devastated if you messed up the garment, same goes with the expensive.

Watch this quick video where I depill a pair of linen shorts with the Remington:

If you’re looking for something similar to what I used in the video, check out the newer models that Remington offers (yes, these are affiliate links on Amazon, but they’re cheap and I really do find this item helpful):